BlueCross selects Lee as chief information security officer
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has named Rose Lee as vice president and chief information security officer.
In this role, Lee is responsible for maintaining an enterprise-wide information security and information risk management program. This position includes overseeing the teams and technology responsible for protecting the personal health and private information of members, providers and group customers.
"Rose's leadership approach and experience will be an important asset to the company as we navigate an increasingly challenging cybersecurity environment," Nasir Khan, senior vice president and chief information officer at BlueCross, said in a news release. "I look forward to the energy and expertise she brings to the role."
Lee has a strong history of mentoring and guiding employee career advancement through coaching and development. She'll use this experience to help cultivate the company's technology talent pipeline. That includes supporting the BlueSky Tennessee Institute, an accelerated 27-month program offering a bachelor's degree in computing from East Tennessee State University – and a job offer from BlueCross upon successful completion of the program.
She has more than 20 years of experience supporting information security efforts, including the position she held prior to joining BlueCross as director of information security and threat management for Baycare Health System.
Lee has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from American Intercontinental University and an associate of applied science in information systems technology from the Community College of the Air Force.
The Lantern at Morning Pointe names Sutter executive director
The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer's Center of Excellence in Chattanooga has named Chattanooga native Michelle Sutter as executive director. She will oversee daily operations at the Alzheimer's memory care community located at 7620 Shallowford Road.
"Spending time every day with our residents is my greatest joy. They have so much to teach me about grace, gratitude and making the absolute most of every moment," said Sutter in a news release.
Sutter previously served in senior living for three years as an executive director in Florida. She is CORE-certified with the American Health Care Association and is also a certified pharmacy technician in Tennessee. Prior business experience also includes human resources and executive management for more than 20 years, including owning a couple of small businesses in the Chattanooga area.
EPB names Jones to head purchasing business efforts
EPB has promoted Ken Jones to senior director of procurement, vendor relations and minority and women-owned business efforts, a new position responsible for leading the company's overall purchasing and materials management as well as minority and women-owned business program.
The move is part of EPB's mission of enhancing the quality of life for the community by supporting job creation and broader prosperity, according to a news release.
"Our goal in promoting Ken Jones is to maximize our local economic impact by further integrating our purchasing efforts with our focus on contracting with diverse Chattanooga area businesses whenever possible," said David Wade, president & CEO of EPB in a news release. "Ken was already doing an outstanding job leading EPB's purchasing team and has built a strong network of community connections over the years. Adding our minority and women-owned business program to his responsibilities is a great fit."
EPB's minority and women-owned business program began in 2002 under the leadership of Michael Jones (no relation to Ken Jones), who was recognized during his recent retirement for his pioneering efforts to build one of the premier local programs for promoting the success of non-traditional business owners.
Jones started at EPB in 2000 as a network technician and has worked for EPB in a range of roles and leadership positions including fiber optics, project management, engineering, strategic planning and, most recently, procurement. He invites both local companies and groups that can help promote contracting opportunities to contact him.
Jones attended Chattanooga State Technical Community College, where he earned an associate degree in electrical electronics engineering technology, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he graduated with a B.S. in business entrepreneurship and an MBA in business analytics.
Lakesite names Ert as new city manager
After a nationwide search, the Lakesite Board of Commissioners voted unanimously at their April 19 meeting to name Kirsten Ert as the new city manager for Lakesite. Ert will replace Dr. David Edwards, who will retire in June after serving in the position for 30 years, according to a news release.
Ert is a native of Germany, and moved to the United States in 2014. She is a graduate of the University of Hawaii and worked at the Hawaii legislature as a Senate research coordinator. After moving to Chattanooga, she earned her master's degree in public administration with a concentration in local government management. During that time, Ert worked at Chattanooga State Community College in the Center for Academic Research and Excellence.
Ert was formerly a senior community planner for the city of Collegedale. During her tenure, she served as the city liaison for all planning and community development projects and programs. She set up a city-wide strategic planning process, served as the community survey administrator and improved how the city uses social media to engage with residents.
Ert serves on the board of the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council and is a member of Tennessee City Managers Association, International City Managers Association and the Association for Strategic Planning.
Tennessee Valley Credit Union names 3 senior leadership members
Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union announces the addition of three new senior leadership team members.
Chris Mulkey has joined TVFCU as the vice president of consumer lending after Donna Myers, the former vice president of consumer lending, retired after more than 43 years. He oversees central lending, indirect lending, consumer underwriting, processing and quality control.
Mulkey previously worked as the assistant vice president of lending at 3Rivers Federal Credit Union, a $1.9 billion asset credit union in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for 17 years. Prior to that, he worked for three years at The State Bank and Trust Co. in Defiance, Ohio, as assistant vice president consumer lending. Mulkey has a master's degree in organizational leadership and a bachelor's degree in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Ryan Henn was promoted from business and commercial services manager to assistant vice president of business and commercial services. In this role, he supports the vice president of business and commercial services and oversees TVFCU's business and commercial lending team.
Henn joined TVFCU in 2015 as a business lender. Prior to that, Henn taught business owners the keys to succeed as a senior small business counselor with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center. Before moving to the Scenic City, he started his career at a community bank in his hometown of Winchester, Tennessee. Henn holds a degree in business management from Bryan College, and has continued his professional development by graduating from the Southeast School of Banking in 2015. In addition, he is entering his third year at the CUNA Commercial Lending School with an expected graduation in July 2022.
Nick Townsend was promoted from director of information technology, networking and telecommunications to assistant vice president of information technology. In this role, he supports the chief technology officer and oversees TVFCU's network engineering, end-user support, telephony and cyber defense operations.
Townsend joined TVFCU in September of 2016 as a virtualization engineer. Prior to that, he was director of technology for Jackson Manufacturing in Cleveland, Tennessee. While at TVFCU, Townsend has continued his education by obtaining his MBA from Lee University in 2021. In 2022, he completed a postgraduate certificate in cyber defense operations from the SAN Technology Institute in Washington, D.C., and he is completing his second master's degree from Liberty University in information assurance.
"We are honored to welcome these three leaders to TVFCU's senior leadership team," said Todd Fortner, president and CEO of TVFCU in a news release. "Their experience will help TVFCU to continue to advance and innovate to better serve credit union members from across the credit union's 13-county service area."
Graves, Walsh join Chambliss Law firm
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel P.C. announces the addition of two new members to the firm with experience in a wide variety of service areas. Patrick C. Walsh and Kimberly S. Graves will support the firm's clients in the areas of business, real estate, commercial lending and financial transactions, commercial contracts, financial institutions and financial services.
"Patrick and Kimberly each bring specific skills that will enhance and benefit our booming real estate practice group," said president and managing shareholder Mark Cunningham in a news release. "Their added skill and experience help to strengthen an already exceptional group."
Walsh specializes in real estate and focuses on the disposition of commercial real estate across various sectors. He regularly represents buyers, sellers and lenders in transactions, and often assists them in offering or obtaining financing. Walsh also reviews and negotiates commercial leases and navigates lease disputes for his landlord and tenant clients. He graduated cum laude with departmental honors from the University of Kentucky. He earned his juris doctor degree from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, where he also graduated cum laude. Walsh is licensed to practice in Kentucky, and is pending admission in Tennessee.
With more than 25 years of corporate legal experience, Graves supports clients as a paralegal in areas including commercial development, financial transactions, litigation, bankruptcy and estate planning and administration. Her background in real estate transactions provides valuable insight to a range of client concerns. A native of Chattanooga, Graves went to Boyd Buchanan School and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a bachelor's in secondary education and English. She is also an advanced certified paralegal in real estate principles through the National Association of Legal Assistants.
Brown named Chattanooga CEO for Ronald McDonald House Charities
Michael Brown, whose diverse background includes operations, financial stewardship and strategic development, has been selected as the new president and CEO for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga. He follows Jane Kaylor will retire after 32 years in the role. Brown's appointment is effective June 1.
Following a national search, Brown, whose nonprofit career began more than 30 years ago when he answered a need in his hometown community of Nashville, was the choice of the Ronald McDonald House Charities selection committee and approved by its board of directors.
Brown created a summer youth camp in Nashville and prioritized the voices and pulse of the community, knowing that empowering those with lived experiences was a key to success. He successfully planned and initiated the merger and acquisition between a local Tampa office and the National Epilepsy Foundation. He also created and implemented a YMCA swimming program, and led a Tampa initiative to support under-resourced Title 1 schools with free after-school programming.
He holds undergraduate degrees in behavioral science and theology, two master's degrees in nonprofit management and leadership and is nearing completion of a doctorate in human and social services.
Kaylor served on the first area Ronald McDonald House Charities board. When she began her work in 1989, a house did not exist. More than 32 years later, a 35,000-square-foot house stands within blocks of the Children's Hospital at Erlanger and there is a substantial endowment to support its work.
- Compiled by Dave Flessner
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